Development/Art questions

Hey, this is kind of a general question about creating the game (and I'm not really sure where to post this). I've found it hard to find resources about how the game was actually created, and was looking for information on how the characters and different elements are created. I've watched several of the Dev videos (for example creating Heimerdinger, as well as a talk which featured the Heimerdinger, and Singed creations). I'm learning how to model, and animate (etc) whilst studying and it's proving rather difficult to actually find resources for what a good poly count for a model is, and how they go about painting, and creating environment assets etcetera. I understand that it's not always common to reveal how you created something (as this can create some difficulties when people use what you do to create copies).

Would you guys be able to provide some advidce into things to consider when creating a character - from an artistic standpoint, both in design and practically putting it into your software and physically making it? I'm still trying to learn different software, but it can be extremely difficult to learn something you don't have access to, and where resources can be either spare, or so bountiful that you don't even know where to start looking.

I know that you guys use ZBrush, and I am in the process of -trying- to learn how to use Mudbox - since that's what my university provides. Are there any similarities, and moving from one to the next what would you guys suggest?

In terms of animation (which is my main focus), are there any tips that you guys can suggest? I've done a fair amount of research into animating in different software, and different methods of animation (for example how poppy's expressions were done with the basic controls, but made effective with good animation and control). I've done a lot of study into traditional animation and exxaguration to hone my skills, but some input from people in the industry would be invaluable, and it can be incredibly hard to recieve.

Thanks a ton for reading. AtomicTwinkie.